tracked leaders, soon 3rd, pushed along from halfway, closed from over 1f out, soon challenged and on terms, quickly led, stayed on well inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along over 2f out, progress and switched right from over 1 1/2f out, closed from over 1f out, soon challenged, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
close up on outer, soon 4th, pushed along from halfway, no impression in 5th from under 2f out
broke well to lead, soon joined, pushed along and headed before halfway, remained close up, back on terms from over 1f out, soon headed and kept on same pace
soon disputed lead, led before halfway, joined from over 1f out, soon headed and no impression
tracked leaders, soon 5th, dropped to last from over 2f out, soon no impression, no extra and eased final furlong
GORDON LORD BYRON is carrying a 7lb penalty for his victory in the Champion Sprint on heavy ground at Ascot and hasn't been at his best this year. Surprisingly he's never won on this track but is the class act in the event and should put matters right. Tested will be having her first start over this trip and all four of her victories have been over an extra furlong. But she's certainly got the pace to trouble the selection in receipt of 7lb and looks the main threat. Russian Soul is a real sprinter and well up to this level and had subsequent winner Balmont Mast behind at Dundalk in March, though he was behind UK raider Line Of Reason over the minimum at Cork a couple of weeks ago and appears unlikely to reverse the form.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 15, 6l behind Undrafted (9-3) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf.
Line Of Reason (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, progress on outer 1 1/2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led final 200 yards, kept on well closing stages, won at Cork 5f Listed stks (1) gf beating Ardhoomey (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
An Saighdiur (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Led early, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 11th of 12, 7l behind Heaven's Guest (9-11) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gd.
Balmont Mast (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Always prominent, led halfway, ridden under 2f out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Navan 6f hcp 60-95 gf beating Oor Jock (8-5) by 2l, 8 ran.
Russian Soul (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th over 1f out, not clear run 200 yards out, kept on same pace in 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Line Of Reason (9-9) at Cork 5f Listed stks (1) gf.
Tested 5-2fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well to challenge 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Convergence (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 (1) gf.
